Linda Thompson, who is more widely known as ex-wife of and contributor to Folk legend Richard Thompson's early records, fittingly titled her 2002 comeback album Fashionably Late which was only the second solo album in her entire 30-plus year career. Versatile Heart, which funnily enough took half-a-decade to create, could actually be considered her quick follow-up.

Most of the artists who helped Linda create Fashionably Late are back to contribute once again. Son Teddy, who's fresh off his own album of Country covers, helps mom on Country-inflected tracks such as "Do Your Best For Rock ‘N Roll" and "Give Me A Sad Song." Family friend Rufus Wainwright wrote the majestic "Beauty" that Linda tackles masterfully here and Antony Hagerty from Antony & the Johnsons helps turn it into a stunning duet. The horns & mandolin-led title track is a highlight here as well. A slight misstep however is Linda's cover of Tom Waits' anti-Iraq war ballad "Day After Tomorrow." Her intentions are certainly in the right place, but her version comes out sounding stilted and more than a bit hokey. But give Thompson credit, after all these years she still sounds as incredible as ever and Versatile Heart is a welcome addition to a far too sparse output that she seems to be trying to remedy.